Spotify calls Family Plan verification a ‘routine improvement’

Spotify says its latest changes to Family Plan verification are a “routine improvement,” not a crackdown on account sharing. The company discussed the changes during its third-quarter call with investors.

Spotify is rolling out QR code checks for Family Plan members to verify that they live in the same household as the plan manager. The manager displays a code on their phone, which the member scans with their own, according to Spotify support documentation. Members have seven days after receiving a notification to complete the check.

Those who miss the window cannot join another Family or Duo plan for 12 months. They would have to switch to an individual plan and pay for it themselves. The change is intended to encourage subscriptions to Spotify’s Premium plans by limiting sharing among people who live apart.

Investor questions described the move as a crackdown, but Spotify co-CEO Alex Norström called it a “routine improvement” to the company’s existing verification methods. He said Family Plan has been part of Spotify’s history for close to 12, 13 years and makes up a significant proportion of its subscriber base. Norström added that improving verification is ongoing, as people find ways around existing checks.